Native flora and introduced plants of the ecologically important Pilliga Forests of Northwestern NSW

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Lomandra leucocephala subsp. leucocephala

Male flowers

Family:Lomandraceae

Common name: Woolly Mat Rush, Irongrass.

Flowers: Inflorescences are shorter than the leaves. Male inflorescences are arranged in 2 or 3 globose segments to one stem. There is generally only one female inflorescence per stem. Flowers mainly from July to September. [Note: at this point I believe there are separate male and female plants, but I will do some more observation, and record findings here.]

Leaves: Leaves are up to about 50cm high (but often much shorter) and 2 to 3mm wide with white leaf margins readily separating into loose silky or wooly 'strings'.

Habit: Upright or spreading tussock, single or scattered plants.

Habitat:Lomandra leucocephala subsp. leucocephala grows in dry schlerophyll forests on sandy soils or rocky slopes in the Pilliga and throughout northwest and central western NSW, extending into similar habitat in southwestern Qld.

The Pilliga Forest is the largest remaining continuous remnant of semi-arid woodland in NSW, consisting of about 500,000 hectares of public bushland. The environment changes from cypress pine to ironbark to scribbly gum to box, and back again, interspersed with expansive heaths and a network of sandy creeks. The Pilliga is recognised as one of the most important areas for biodiversity in eastern Australia and is home to more than 350 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs. To many who travel through the area, the woodlands might look monotonous, but if you drive the back roads slowly or wander amongst the vegetation, you will discover that The Pilliga is full of life and richness and wonder. It is truly a special place, and of huge significance to the survival of countless native plants and animals.